Vocabulary Practice Test Questions

  1. What does abdicated mean in the following sentence?
The prince abdicated the crown and returned to his castle.
  1. Gave up
  2. Sold
  3. Reinvested into
  4. Auctioned
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

To abdicate means to relinquish or give up a throne, power, right, or responsibility. It does not mean to sell (B), reinvest in (C), or auction (D).

 

  1. What does absconded mean in the following sentence?
The convicted criminal absconded prior to the sentencing phase of the trial.
  1. Touched the jury
  2. Reported immediately
  3. Left after discussion
  4. Departed secretly
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

To abscond means to flee or escape secretly and hide. It can also connote making off with something (e.g. “He absconded with the treasure.”) It does not mean to touch anyone (A), to report immediately (B)-an opposite-or to leave after some discussion (C), but to break out/take off quickly.

 

  1. What does aural mean in the following sentence?
The aural component of balance is critical for postural control during ambulation.
  1. Related to the eye
  2. Related to the ear
  3. Related to the nose
  4. Related to the mouth
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Aural refers to the ears or hearing. A corresponding adjective referring to the eyes (A) is visual; to the nose (C) is nasal; and to the mouth (D) is oral.

 

  1. What does benevolent mean in the following sentence?
The old man was benevolent with his fortune.
  1. Secretive
  2. Stingy
  3. Kind
  4. Careful
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Benevolent means kind or good. It does not mean secretive (A), i.e. keeping secret. In this sentence, stingy (B) is an antonym for “benevolent with his fortune.” Benevolent does not mean careful (D) or cautious.

 

  1. What does buttress mean in the following sentence?
The extra dirt was a key buttress to the foundation.
  1. Limiting factor
  2. Support
  3. Overwhelming condition
  4. Obstacle
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

A buttress (noun) and to buttress (verb) mean support. Buttress is not a limiting factor (A), an overwhelming condition (C), or an obstacle (D) or barrier.

 

  1. What does cathode mean in the following sentence?
The cathode of a battery was removed.
  1. Positive pole
  2. Negative pole
  3. Neutral pole
  4. Opposite pole
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

In electrolysis and electrophoresis, for example, electrons (negatively charged particles) come from a power supply along a negatively charged electrode, the cathode. Electrons return to the power supply via a positively charged electrode, the anode. Therefore, the cathode is not the positive (A), neutral (C), or opposite (D) electrode, or pole.

 

  1. What does charlatan mean in the following sentence?
The doctor was known as a charlatan over the years of his practice.
  1. Quack
  2. Knowledgeable physician
  3. Procedural physician
  4. Medical examiner
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Quack and charlatan are synonyms meaning phony, fraud, or faker. A doctor known as a charlatan or quack is not a knowledgeable physician (B) or a procedural physician (C). A medical examiner (D) is a specific job title for a licensed physician who is also a government-appointed officer conducting autopsies to investigate and determine cause of death, not a synonym for a fake.

 

  1. What does copious mean in the following sentence?
The wound exhibited signs of copious drainage requiring medical intervention.
  1. Minimal
  2. Clear
  3. Maximal
  4. Foul
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Copious means profuse or abundant (maximal, not minimal), which an antonym. This meaning is not related to, and does not mean, clear (B) or foul (D).

 

  1. What does defaming mean in the following sentence?
The attorney accused the witness of defaming the defendant.
  1. Killing
  2. Badgering
  3. Suffocating
  4. Slandering
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

To defame means to slander, libel, or otherwise disparage the reputation or actions of another. It does not mean to kill (A), badger (B) or harass; or to suffocate (C) or smother.

 

  1. What does derive mean in the following sentence?
The detective was able to derive the facts of the case.
  1. Desist
  2. Deter
  3. Devise
  4. Deduce
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

To derive means to deduce; i.e. to draw from or arrive at through deduction, or to determine via reasoning. It does not mean to desist (A), i.e. cease; to deter (B), i.e. prevent or discourage; or to devise (C), i.e. design or invent.

 

  1. What does evoke mean in the following sentence?
The scientist was able to evoke powerful emotions from her audience.
  1. Sell
  2. Calm
  3. Call forth
  4. Exaggerate
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

To evoke means to call forth, elicit, or draw out, as emotions. It does not mean to sell (A), calm (B), or exaggerate (D).

 

  1. What does fallible mean in the following sentence?
The judge was fallible during deliberation.
  1. Careful not to err
  2. Falsely accused
  3. Loyal to his supporters
  4. Capable of mistakes
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Fallible means able to err. It does not mean careful not to do so (A), falsely accused (B), or loyal to one’s supporters (C).

 

  1. What does germane mean in the following sentence?
The chemist collected the germane data during the experiment.
  1. Relevant
  2. Obscure
  3. Limited
  4. Usual
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Germane means relevant, pertinent, or applicable. It does not mean obscure (B), i.e. unclear or hidden; limited (C), or usual (D).

 

  1. What does grotto mean in the following sentence?
The desperados held up in a grotto in New Mexico during the escape.
  1. Large cave
  2. Small cavern
  3. Hotel
  4. Motel
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

A grotto is a small cave, cavern, or hollow. It is not a larger cave (A), or a hotel (C) or motel (D).

 

  1. What does heedless mean in the following sentence?
The official exhibited a heedless attitude when dealing with the dignitaries.
  1. Thoughtless
  2. Pleasant
  3. Friendly
  4. Bitter
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Heedless means thoughtless: to heed is to pay attention to, mind, or observe something, and heedless is not paying attention/ignoring. It does not mean pleasant (B), friendly (C), or bitter (D).

 

  1. What does innumerable mean in the following sentence?
The Sherman tank commander noted innumerable troops moving forward against his position.
  1. Limited
  2. Weary
  3. Countless
  4. Harmless
Show Answer
The correct answer is C!

Innumerable means countless, or impossible to number or count. It is an opposite of limited (A). It does not mean weary (B) or tired, or harmless (D).

 

  1. What does instill mean in the following sentence?
The general tried to instill in his troops the hope of victory.
  1. Infuse
  2. Delay
  3. Inscribe
  4. Indict
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Infuse is the best synonym here for instill, meaning to impart, inject, introduce or put something into someone or something. These two words do not mean to delay (B), i.e. put off or slow down; to inscribe (C), i.e. write, etch, or imprint; or to indict (D), i.e. accuse.

 

  1. What does jovial mean in the following sentence?
The winning team of the World Series often has a jovial attitude.
  1. Merry
  2. Sad
  3. Somber
  4. Laborious
Show Answer
The correct answer is A!

Jovial means happy or merry, the opposite of sad (B) and somber (C). It does not mean laborious (D), i.e. effortful, difficult, or painstaking.

 

  1. What does latent mean in the following sentence?
The plant entered the latent phase of development in the fall.
  1. First
  2. Growth
  3. Last
  4. Dormant
Show Answer
The correct answer is D!

Latent means dormant, sleeping, or inactive; unrealized, or covert or hidden. It does not mean first (A), growth (B), or last (C).

 

  1. What does loch mean in the following sentence?
The yacht club members were excited about conditions on the loch.
  1. Water
  2. Lake
  3. Gulf
  4. Ocean
Show Answer
The correct answer is B!

Loch is the Scottish word equivalent to the English word lake. Hence lake is a closer synonym than water (A), which has many forms; or gulf (C) or ocean (D), both bodies of water different from a lake.